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Jefferson May Stop Regulating Bingo

LOUISIANA – As reported by the Louisiana Times-Picayune: "With the popularity of public bingo games nearing its lowest mark in two decades, Jefferson Parish officials have recommended eliminating the parish's gaming regulatory office, which in recent years has cost more to operate than it has generated in fees.

"Bingo games and raffles still would be supervised by the state's Revenue Department, which collects fees from and conducts surprise inspections of Jefferson's seven bingo halls and of 78 local groups authorized to host games of chance for their churches, Carnival krewes, private schools, veterans groups and cultural programs.

"But bingo games in unincorporated areas no longer would face additional oversight from the parish's Gaming Regulatory Division, or have to pay the parish to register as a gambling group, to host a bingo or raffle, or to rent gambling equipment -- fees that last year garnered $254,000, said Parish President Aaron Broussard, who has put the matter to the Parish Council.

"…A similar plan to kill the gaming division failed to come to a vote in 2003, after council members heard from many opponents and a few supporters whose arguments have been echoed in discussion of the current proposal…"

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